Mazda's mid-size SUV lineup starts with the two-row CX-70, which is little more than a three-row CX-90 with the third row surgically removed. The CX-70 features a turbocharged inline-six engine, available in two strengths: 280- and 340-horsepower outputs. With its spacious and premium cabin, the CX-70 offers a unique blend of comfort and performance.
However, the decision to opt for the two-row 70 or the three-row 90 depends on individual needs and preferences. Mazda says buyers of two-row SUVs are comprised of a different demographic, but we remain skeptical. The CX-70's cabin is spacious and premium, with upper trim levels doing their best to mimic the interiors of luxury automakers.
Choosing between the standard or more powerful version of the CX-70's inline-six is up to you and your budget, but the S models' extra 60 ponies are worth the upgrade if you ask us. Either way, we'd recommend the Premium trim, as it gets handsome 21-inch wheels, a hands-free power liftgate, a panoramic sunroof, a digital gauge cluster, a 12-speaker Bose stereo system, and a head-up display. The CX-70's handling is nimble and sure-footed, like its CX-90 counterpart, but the ride can be firmer than some buyers in this class would be happy with.
With similar performance to the CX-90, the CX-70 offers a unique blend of comfort and performance. Mazda offers an adequate protection plan for buyers of new CX-70s, but it doesn't offer complimentary scheduled maintenance like some competitors do. The EPA estimates that the CX-70 will deliver 23 mpg city with the 340-hp inline-six engine and 24 mpg city with the 280-hp version.
Both versions earned a 28-mpg rating on the highway. In our real-world 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, the CX-70 S Premium delivered 29 mpg. The CX-70's interior looks the same as the CX-90's, but it offers a red leather upholstery option and has only two rows of seats instead of three.
A second-row bench seat provides seating for three, although it's more comfortable with just two passengers. Head and legroom are generous for even tall adults, and there should be plenty of space to install a rear-facing child seat without needing to move the front seats too far forward. The CX-70 has nearly identical cargo capacities to the CX-90, but the CX-70 has a larger underfloor storage compartment.
3-inch infotainment system, Mazda's latest software, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the CX-70 offers a user-friendly interface. All CX-70s come with a suite of driver-assistance features called i-Activsense, which includes automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. For information about the CX-70's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
The 2027 Mazda CX-70 offers a unique blend of comfort and performance, but its decision to opt for two rows instead of three may be based on individual needs and preferences. With its spacious cabin and premium interior, the CX-70 is an attractive option in the mid-size SUV market.
